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Do perceived barriers to clinical presentation affect anticipated time to presenting with cancer symptoms: an ICBP study

Donnelly, C; Quaife, S; Forbes, L; Boylan, J; Tishelman, C; Gavin, A; (2017) Do perceived barriers to clinical presentation affect anticipated time to presenting with cancer symptoms: an ICBP study. European Journal of Public Health , 27 (5) pp. 808-813. 10.1093/eurpub/ckx064. Green open access

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Cancer survival in the UK and Denmark are lower when compared with similar countries with late diagnosis a possible cause. We aimed to study the relationship between barriers to attending a primary care physician (GP) and anticipated time to help seeking (ATHS) with four cancer symptoms in six countries. METHODS: A population-based survey measuring cancer awareness and beliefs conducted within the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership in Australia, Canada, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and UK. Data were collected on perceived barriers to GP consultation (including embarrassment, worry about wasting the doctors’ time, fear about what the doctor might find and being too busy) and ATHS for persistent cough, abdominal swelling, rectal bleeding and breast changes. Relationships between perceived barriers and ATHS were investigated using multivariable analysis. RESULTS: Among 19 079 respondents, higher perceived barrier scores were associated with longer ATHS intervals for all symptoms studied (P < 0.01) responders with the highest barrier scores (>10.84) had between two and three times the odds of longer ATHS. ATHS was low in Australia for all symptoms and highest in Denmark for abdominal bloating. CONCLUSIONS: Perceived barriers to help-seeking have a role in delaying GP presentation. Early diagnosis campaigns should address emotional and practical barriers that reduce early presentation with potential cancer symptoms.

Type: Article
Title: Do perceived barriers to clinical presentation affect anticipated time to presenting with cancer symptoms: an ICBP study
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckx064
Publisher version: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckx064
Language: English
Additional information: This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions.
Keywords: Science & Technology, Life Sciences & Biomedicine, Public, Environmental & Occupational Health, DISCOVERED BREAST SYMPTOMS, HELP-SEEKING BEHAVIOR, LUNG-CANCER, BENCHMARKING PARTNERSHIP, DELAYED PRESENTATION, PUBLIC AWARENESS, UNITED-KINGDOM, NORWAY, SWEDEN, SURVIVAL
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > Institute of Epidemiology and Health
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > Institute of Epidemiology and Health > Behavioural Science and Health
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1569137
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